FUN RUNS IN NORTHFIELD

PROJECT STRIVE

ORCHARD BRAE SCHOOL

CUMMINGS PARK FLAT

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Summer 2019

In this issue:

Welcome to another exciting edition of the Cumming North magazine.

Thanks again to all the contributors - we are very grateful to everyone who submits articles and photos for the magazine. Our editorial team is always on the lookout for local people to help gather articles and information that may be used in future editions, or indeed, help in other ways as part of the editorial team. This would involve a couple of short meetings prior to publication of the magazine.

Do you have a story to tell about Cummings Park or Northfield? Whether it’s a historical piece about the area, a story about your time in the community, a group you’re involved in we’d love to hear it! We’re always looking for more people to get involved in the magazine. Please get in touch with Laura at shmu on 01224 515013 or email laura.young@shmu.org.uk.

You can also get in touch with us via our new Facebook page - look up ‘Cumming North’ and hit that like button!

Supported by

Contents3 Eco-Schools4 FunRunsinNorthfield5 Project Strive6&7 Community News8&9 Cumming’s Park Flat10 Healthy Start11 Local Update12 NorthfieldCommunityCentre13 History Page14 shmu15 Dave’s Page

Summer Edition 2019

Over the last year everyone at Orchard Brae School have been working very hard on developing our eco awareness as part of our Eco-Schools Scotland journey and we have participated in a range of activities based around the topics of litter, waste minimisation and food and the environment.

We conducted litter picks in the local area as well as in the school grounds, planted seeds and bulbs and cared for the plants, and made soup from our bumper crop of tatties grown in the school garden. The work that classes put into the rag bag scheme and Orchard Brae Fashion Boutique was recognised with a nomination for the Aberdeen City Council EcoCity Waste

and Recycling Champions Award and while we were not the winners of the categories, we were rewarded with a certificate for our hard work and effort.

We are absolutely delighted that all of our hard work and effort has been recognised and we have reached the gold standard and been awarded our first Green Flag!

The Green Flag Award is presented to nurseries and schools which have demonstrated a commitment to Eco-Schools Scotland programme and usually takes place over two years. We are so proud that our Eco work has managed to get our first Green flag awarded in just one year!

We have been truly amazed by the comments we received from the Eco-School Scotland Team who noted that our action plan and evidence ‘was innovative and engaging’, ‘demonstrated a true commitment to improve the environment’ and ‘our dedication to embedding sustainability within the curriculum’. They also highlighted aspects of our work as ‘examples of good practice’ which may be used as future case studies to support other schools.

A huge well done to all the students and staff for their ongoing work and effort in enabling us to achieve our first Green Flag in one year.

3

Going For GreenOrchard Brae School Gain A Green Flag

Project Strive is a targeted and funded project bringing dance to the city of Aberdeen with numerous classes happening in and around Northfield.

Some of our fantastic young people who have been taking part in Project Strive classes, recently performed at the sold out Citymoves Spring show at the Anatomy Rooms. Participants from Cummings Park Community Centre and Aberdeen Football Club were brought together for a combined routine. We also had our group from Northfield Community Centre perform their own dance.

It was great to see their hard work and commitment pay off! Their amazing energy and enthusiasm on-stage saw

them receive thunderous applause from the audience.

On the horizon is another performance event, Survival X, hosted by The Hip Hop School – MC, at the Beach Ballroom on the 26th of May 2019 4-7pm.

Class information:

BRING IT BOYS @ CITYMOVES SCHOOL STUDIO Mondays (8-16yrs): 18:30-19:30 £4 (scholarships available) A just for boys, performance class that represents Citymoves at events.

DANCE @ ABERDEEN FOOTBALL CLUB SEATON Tuesdays (10-25yrs) 18:00-19:30 Cost FREE Dance with football. Move those feet!

DANCE @ NORTHFIELD COMMUNITY CENTRE Tuesdays (10-25yrs) 20:00-21:00 FREE Dance class with MC, focussing hip hop styles and street art.

DANCE @ CUMMINGS PARK, NORTHFIELD Thursdays (10-25yrs) 16:00-17:00 FREE A weekly session with performance opportunities.

DANCE @ STREETSPORT, ALLAN DOUGLAS PARK, Northfield Thursday (10-25yrs) 19:30-21:00 FREE.

Should you wish to support us at Survival X or find out more information about our classes please contact amy.park@citymoves.org.uk

The Northfield UDecide funding will finance the establishment of free monthly ‘for fun run’ events held within the Northfield community and at Get Active @ Sheddocksley, for children over the age of five and their parents, guardians or carers.

The funding will also subsidise t-shirts and medals for all participants in addition to first aid training, a designated first aid kit and a free workshop with Jog Scotland.

In addition, the ‘for fun run’ events will link in with schools in the area and will make use of Westpark School’s new purpose-built running track, which also

received funding from the UDecide programme.

The Westpark School running track will be built in memory of long-standing Head Teacher Mr Cowie, who sadly passed away last year, for his commitment to the school and the local community. Mr Cowie’s family and friends have also helped raise money for the project.

Councillor Jenny Laing, Aberdeen City Council Co-Leader and Chair of Community Planning Aberdeen, said:

“Participatory budgeting is vitally important in realising the vision of Community Planning Aberdeen –

which is for a city where everyone can prosper.

“UDECIDE funding supports projects and initiatives in key communities and is enabling residents to make important decisions on priorities in their neighbourhood, helping to increase opportunities and improve outcomes through a collaborative approach.

“Sport Aberdeen is an important partner in fostering healthy and active lifestyles for young people and the latest funding award will enable the great work that is being done in the city to be expanded.”

For more information look up Active Schools Northfield on Facebook.

Fun Runs in Northfield

Project Strive Stars

Photo credit - Aberdeen City Council

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This year we have a brand new reading challenge: Aberdeen Reads! This challenge is open to everyone, so get family and friends involved and encourage each other to keep reading over the Summer holidays!

Aberdeen Reads will run from Friday 5 July until Saturday 24 August and will challenge you to read for at least 6 minutes every day. All kinds of reading will count: picture books, fiction, non-fiction, e-books, talking books, magazines, news articles…anything you enjoy!

There will be mini-challenges each week to help you explore the library and find new things to read. Keep an eye on Aberdeen City Libraries’ website and social media to discover the new challenges as they are

announced each Saturday. The website will also have more fun activities and reading suggestions.

Exciting free events will take place in libraries throughout the holidays for families taking part in the challenge – don’t forget to book your place!

Everyone who takes part in Aberdeen Reads will be entered into a prize draw, and those who complete 3 or more mini-challenges will be entered into an additional draw.

Aberdeen Reads Event:

NorthfieldLibrary Tuesday 16 July 2.30 – 3.15pm

BookbugStory,Songand Rhyme Sessions

NorthfieldLibrary Monday 8 July 2.15 – 2.45pm

NorthfieldLibrary Monday 5 August 2.15 – 2.45pm

As well as a wide range of Adult and Children’s books, DVDs and Talking Books, we have free Wifi and PC access (with your library card), photocopying, scanning and printing facilities.

Contact detailsNorthfieldLibrary T: 01224 695104

E:NorthfieldLibrary@aberdeencity.gov.uk

Orvisitthewebsitewww.aberdeencity.gov.uk/Library

After a period of some months without the benefit of representation, good news for residents of Northfield! The local community council has been re-established. A sufficient number of public-spirited people volunteered to serve.

The local community council is a forum for bringing issues of concern to the attention of the City Council and other relevant bodies. As the name suggests, this forum is a place where local issues can be understood because the councillors are from the local area; they are so much more likely to be aware of and share the same concerns. At the

time of going to press, we have nothing more than the names of the newly selected councillors, some of whom may be familiar to readers of this magazine. They are as follows:

1.Linda Davidson

2.James Fyfe

3.Valerie Fyfe

4.Adrienne Guy

5.Scott Guy

6.Brenda Hird

7.Vicky McKenzie

8.Paul McMenemy

9.Donna May

10.Irene Paul

11.Fiona Sales

12.Andrea Wallace

13.Wilma Collie

In due course, we will publish contact details of which councillors will be best points of contact for specific issues. Northfield residents deserve to have the best level of advocacy from their local council when dealing with the slightly more remote City Council. In the meantime, we salute these public-spirited people for volunteering to give of their time and energy to serve in the local community.

Partnership working within the Northfield community is very much at the forefront of our daily business at Northfield Community Policing Team. During March 2019 we joined forces with partners in the council and third sector to engage with residents in the Northfield area.

Following the success of our community engagement events in Oldtown and Marchburn, the Northfield Community Policing team held a week of enforcements and activity centred around the Moir and Cummings Park areas. The initiative began with a number of drugs search warrants being executed. We had some positive results and that was down to the public having trust in us to act on the information they provided. I thank you for your help and I ask you to continue to provide information which is crucial to directing the team and specialist officers to where they can be most effective. Drugs can impact on everyone within the area and it is important that you realise your role in addressing the dealing and misuse in our community.

On Wednesday 13 March 2019 there was a community engagement event utilising the Street Pastors’ van for residents to come and speak to officers or representatives from partner agencies. Partners who assisted included Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, staff from Aberdeen City Council’s Antisocial Behaviour Investigation Team, City

Wardens, housing officers, Street Pastors, CFINE (Community Food Initiatives), Aberdeen City Council Communities Team and Police Scotland Crime Reduction Team.

We had leafleted about 700 properties in the Moir and Cummings Park area, asking people to come to us and tell us their issues, because all of our partners were at their fingertips. We had a really good response from the public. People came to us with anything ranging from drug dealing information to hedges being overgrown.

Anti-social behaviour remains relevant throughout the year and can affect the community in different ways, be it wilful fire raising, youth disorder, breach of the peace, vandalism, drinking alcohol in public and threatening and abusive Behaviour. We know that by working together and making improvements in the community, it helps residents feel more positive and anti-Social behaviour reduces as a result of improved community pride. I hope you join us in these events, as collective involvement is essential for the success in influencing and controlling decision making in the community.

Membersofthepubliccancall 101 for non-emergencies and general enquiries and in an emergency call 999. If you have any information regarding crime you can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Northfield Community Policing Team UpdateInspector Karen Main

Pathways in Cummings Park

Pathways help people from the age of 16 upwards and from all backgrounds and help to identify the job or training that is right for you. We also help you to develop a plan to reach your job goal, help with CV’s, assist in completing application forms and we also have access to funds to remove barriers to work e.g. clothing or equipment.

Theresa has helped many people to find work across a number of industries and types of jobs. One of Theresa’s clients came to see her for help to find a job and get a CV done as he had never had one before. He also had very little work experience and had no idea what type of work he would like to do. Theresa helped him to create a CV and set up an account on Indeed so he would receive job vacancies directly into his email. She then met the client on a weekly basis and applied for jobs in the retail sector and as a kitchen porter. The client began to grow in confidence and in his ability to carry out his own job search and make applications. He also became more confident in interviews and this showed when he was successful in gaining employment as a kitchen porter in a local restaurant. The client stated to Theresa; “Thank you so much for your support. I don’t know what I would have done without Pathways.”

Theresa sees people at the Cummings Park Community Flat on Tuesday afternoons between 1 and 4pm. As she is always busy it is advisable to call Theresa on 01224 682 939 to make an appointment to see her.

Aberdeen Reads at your Local Library!

LOCAL COMMUNITY COUNCILLORSDaft Wee Jimmy

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Reminiscence at Cummings Park Community FlatHow many times have you talked to your friends and said “do you remember when” - don’t we all do this? We like to remember the good parts of our experiences and talk about ‘the olden days’. It seems that the older we get the more we think of days gone by. When that night club was a church, when that shop was run by that fella or when that street didn’t have houses on them and “it wiz a fields.”

I joined a group on Facebook called Aberdeen History and Photos from the Past’ and enjoyed looking at the photos and reading the comments. There was one man who caught my attention as he spoke about working with people living with dementia. His volunteering work involved sessions of reminiscence. I wondered if he would honour us with a session to help some of us remember

some of the things that have long since gone from our childhoods.

Alan Johnstone was delighted at the prospect. He has since delivered four engaging and interesting sessions for us. We were shown photographs of the cinemas, theatres, shops, bridges, harbour works, buildings, parks, fashions and cars of our yesteryears. There were many that I didn’t recognise as they were gone by the time I was old enough to appreciate them but some of our older people could identify these instantly and had great stories of their experiences there. Alan also arranged for us to visit with the Treasure Hub situated on Granite Hill Road. We enjoyed the tour very much and hope to arrange another in the future.

Mindfulness at Cummings Park Community FlatWe often rush about and forget to take in the world around us. What the flowers bring to us, what the birds really sound like,

what we are really feeling about that situation. We are taught to stabilise our mind and reconnect with our senses.

Sarah Gear has been providing mindfulness sessions for us. She encourages us to spend a few moments just ‘being’ and thinking of only what is here and now. Some relaxation is involved which even had one of our participants relax so much that she fell asleep. There will be a new session beginning in a few months so if you think that you or someone you know might benefit from this, please contact us at the flat and we will add your name to the list for the new class.

PathwaysIt can be difficult taking that step to find employment and/or training but we have help at hand. Theresa from Pathways will help you build your C.V, search for employment and support you in all aspects of your job search. Pathways also offer a free counselling service, classes in confidence building, tackling life and building resilience, computing for beginners and health issues in the community. You may contact Pathways at Powis Community Centre. 11 Powis Circle. Aberdeen AB24 3YX 01224 682939 for further information. pathways-online.org

VSA carersDonna Lawie from the VSA carers centre has been offering drop in sessions for people who are caring for a friend or relative. She offers practical and impartial

advice. You can contact Donna at the VSA Main Head Office, 38 Castle Street, Aberdeen. AB11 5YU. 01224 212021 info@vsa.org.uk

Silver City SurfersThursday 11am at Cummings Park Community Flat

Anthony, George and Steven represent the Silver City Surfers. The gentlemen support people over the age of 55 years come to terms with modern technology from cameras to laptops. They offer free tutoring and support on a one-to-one level. The friendly, inclusive sessions makes for a pleasant experience. Remember – we all had to start somewhere. Come and say “hello” and let the volunteers help you to be part of the world of modern technology.

SilverCitySurfersmaybereached on - 07799 371329 silvercitysurfers@gmail.com

Cummings Park Community Flat122 Cummings Park DriveAberdeenAB16 7BB

01224 681357 cummingsparkcommunity flat@gmail.com

Facebookpage- Cummings Park Community Flat

Cummings Park Community Flat

Hereagain,atthistimeofyearallthetreesarecoveredinsoftgreenleaves.Thespringbulbsareallonshowandfruittreesinfullflower,makingitlookliketheremaybeagoodcrop of fruit later in the year. Veggie seeds all planted along withlotsofflowerseeds.

Anewgardenisbeingcreatedonthecouncilareanexttothecommunityflat.Thiswillbeplantedintrees,shrubs,lotsofflowersomewherewherepeoplecansitandenjoythe view and the plants on show. With help from the council workers,thisshouldbehopefullylikeaminiparkifanyonewantstohelpsomeoftheworkbeingdonepleasejoinin,allhelpwillbegratefullyappreciated.

Mrs Meadows

Illustraion by Manuela Preka

98

As many of you will be aware, the swimming pool has been closed and out of commission for almost 15 months. Sport Aberdeen, the private company which is responsible, under the auspices of the City Council, for the running and maintenance of this essential facility, advertise it on their website, with a photograph of people actually enjoying the use of the pool. When I checked, there was even a timetable advertising opening times, and which category of session could be enjoyed during the week. On this basis, you could be pardoned for believing that the swimming pool is a facility you could make use of.

Sport Aberdeen has been peculiarly reticent about the lack of progress in the upgrading and modernisation work promised on the website. The promised updates on progress are also conspicuous by their absence. I walk past the swimming pool at least three times a week and have seen no signs of constructive activity on the site. It may be that work is being undertaken, but apart from

boarded up windows and doors, security fencing round the building, and a chain across the entrance to the facility, nothing seems to have changed in the last fifteen months since the swimming pool was closed.

I went to Sport Aberdeen’s registered office at 28 Albyn Place, which turned out to be a solicitors’ office. (Apparently, this is common commercial practice amongst some businesses, although why is unclear.) They were marginally helpful, furnishing me with a contact number. I rang 01224 507744 and spoke to the Director of Community Leisure Operations, David Selkirk, who was profuse in his apologies for the lack of progress, but anxious to let me know how much had been done at a similar facility in Sheddocksley. Asked to estimate how much longer Northfield would be closed, I was told that there were still areas of planning and supply to be discussed with the council.

Some of you may have heard Mark McDonald MSP’s interview on radio recently, where he revealed that,

prior to closing the facility, Sport Aberdeen apparently had no firm business plan in place. It would seem that this is still the case. To be fair, it was closed on grounds of mechanical and electrical failure of old machinery which had reached the end of its useful life on so it could scarcely have been a surprise. That said, residents of Northfield have vehemently expressed their disgust to me, but I can do nothing on my own. Perhaps they should regularly ring Director of Community Leisure Operations, David Selkirk on 01224 507744 for the promised regular updates. It would be interesting to hear what results they can achieve if they work together, and I hope that they will share the results of their labours with this magazine. Naturally, I invite Sport Aberdeen to use shmu’s facilities to keep residents up to date.

Did you know this is the oldest uniformed organisation in the UK? It was established in 1883 in Glasgow by Sir William Smith from Thurso. The change of location must have been a culture shock for him, but it was the catalyst for his philanthropy. William wanted to help the boys in Glasgow to become good citizens through a variety of activities, hence the Motto ‘Sure and Steadfast.’

Although the boys Brigade is 136 years old, it has adapted well to the 21st century. Essentially a Christian organisation, companies have members from Muslim, Hindu, and other faiths. All are welcome; the Boys Brigade is an inclusive organisation. This being the case, some Companies are ‘Boys’ Brigade with Girls’ Association’. Yes, Girls are welcome too. The 65th Aberdeen

Company which meets in ex ATC Huts off Moir Drive, near Northfield Academy, has girls and boys. The programme is flexible from company to company and the girls and boys enjoy the programme.

There is another company which meets in Hilton Community Centre, which runs a very similar programme. Members of both these companies have taken part in various sports, uni-hoc, football, pool, colouring competition, carol singing, discos, cinema , a fun day to Dundee with a visit to the V & A Museum, the HMS Discovery and ice skating. A diversity of speakers included an artist giving insight into their work, and another speaker who spoke about the plight of young mothers and their children sleeping rough in Sierra Leone. Inclusivity and

diversity are important parts of the programme.

Space does not permit to cover all the diverse activities which our young people to enjoy in safety, but it is worth mentioning that companies tend to have three Sections, ANCHORS (Primaries 1,2 &3), JUNIOR (Primaries 4, 5 & 6) and COMPANY (Primary 7 and All academy ages) Sections, although some run a SENIOR Section for 16 plus.

The Boys’ Brigade prepares today’s young people to be tomorrow’s good citizens.

Companies are coming to the end of the winter sessions and will resume after the summer holidays.Forinformation,callAndy Cowie on 0771 5279478.

Northfield Swimming Pool

BEST START GRANTWhat is the Best Start Grant?Package of 3 payments which gives extra money to lower-income families at key stages in the early years of a child’s life.

Whoiseligible?All claimants must be living in Scotland and receive benefits from the list below:-

Income support; Income based Jobseekers Allowance; Income-related Employment and Support Allowance; Pension Credit; Universal Credit; housing Benefit; Child Tax Credit; Working Tax Credit.

Also, if you are under 18 or aged 18 or 19 and in full-time education or training and are dependent on someone else.

When are the payments made and how much are the payments?

1st payment of £600 can be claimed when the mother is 24 weeks pregnant and before the baby is 6 months old. £300 can be claimed for any subsequent children.

2nd payment of £250 can be claimed when a child reaches the age of 2 -3.

3rd payment of £250 can be claimed when a child starts school.

Application for 2nd and 3rd payments opens in the summer of 2019.

There is no cap on the number of

children per household who will be eligible to receive the grant but there is usually only one grant of 3 payments paid per child.

How long will people have to wait to get their grant?

Providing the form is completed correctly clients should receive their money within 5 – 10 days

What evidence is needed to confirmapregnancy?Providing Social Security Scotland have permission they will use “baby box” data or other evidence such as MATB1 form or a birth certificate. Electronic checks will also be made to confirm ID, residency and qualifying benefits. There is no need for a health professional to sign the Best Start Grant application form.

Willotherbenefitsbeaffected?No, it does not affect other benefits or tax credits.

Does the grant need to berepaid?No, it does not. It is a grant and not a loan.

How can you apply?Freephone helpline on 0800 182 2222In paper form Online at mygov.scot/pregnancy-and-baby-payment (translations into over 100 languages are available on line)

Healthy Start

Who is entitled to Healthy Start vitamins?

Every pregnant mum in Grampian is entitled to the Healthy Start vitamins (these are usually supplied via midwife)

WhoqualifiesforHealthy Start Vouchers?

Women who are at least 10 weeks pregnant and families with children under four years old qualify for Healthy Start Vouchers if the family is getting:

Income Support, or

Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, or

Income-related Employment and Support Allowance, or

Child Tax Credit (with a f amily income of £16,190 or less per year)

Universal Credit (with a family take home pay of £408 or less per month)

Women under 18 qualify regardless of income.

Application forms need to be countersigned by midwife OR health visitor but you can hand them into your GP surgery and they will get the form signed and posted.

Whatcanyoubuywith the vouchers?

Infant formula (not follow on milk)

Fresh cow’s milk

Fresh and frozen fruit and vegetables

THIS IS FOR EVERY CHILD THAT THE FAMILY HAVE THAT IS AGED 0- 4 YEARS

Boys’ Brigade in Cummings Park

Daft Wee Jimmy

1110

Here at the centre we have a few new things going on...Food Bank

The Food Bank has been opened in the Centre and is proving to be a necessity. The idea came from one of the Board members, who had heard of others in other areas, and thought this would be something that could be of good in Northfield. She put the idea to the Board and they agreed. It was decided to open up one day a week which proved the need for an evening

slot as those on low income couldn’t make the Thursday due to work.

It is now open twice a week: Mon 7 – 9pm and Thursday between10am–2pm.

Centre Café

We are happy to announce that the Centre Café is now open every day, (excluding Sunday)

Mon to Fri 9.30 till 2pm / Mon to Wed 4.30 to 7.30pm.

The Café is also open every 2nd Fri on a Disco night.

The Café sells Hot Food, Snacks and Drinks.Why not pop in when you shop?

Summer Playscheme 2019.

The playscheme is taking bookings for the trips.We are of to some new places, and of course can’t not go to the old favourites.

It will run from Wed 7th July to Fri 9th Aug. Aged 5 to 12s (must have completed p1) (on the move to Secondary).

Some of the fun places this year are Skyline, Active Kids, Craighton Country Park, to tell a few.

Prices will be on the order form as normal. For more information give us a call on 01224 695416 or pop in and see us!

The Aberdeen to Inverurie canal opened in 1805 after a seven-year construction and operated until 1854. It ran from Aberdeen to Port Elphinstone. It was horse drawn and the canal had cargo barges and fly boats that were for passengers. It took over seven hours to reach Aberdeen and the final leg with locks to the harbour was the most tedious part.

The official opening aboard the “Countess of Kintore” a fly boat had a mounted gun to announce its arrival at intervals. Filled with the local dignitaries and guests with the Lord Provost of Aberdeen, the canal cost £44, 000 initially with further repair costs.

Staging posts and stables were set

up along the way, with timetables and fares, 17 barges and two fly boats plied the waters.

Grain, slate, and granite were the staple cargo from the shire. Coal, lime, goods and dung were brought in from the city and further afield, the dung was called night soil. The results of street detritus and the contents of chamber pots and night pails. At the height of cargo tonnage night soil was being imported from as far away as London. In 1837 alone 1642 tons of night soil was imported from the streets of Cheapside and White Chapel.

Previously night soil was spread on the estate of Kepplehills and was giving record crop returns in the earlier

century. This was associated with agricultural improvement; however, it was deemed a somewhat dangerous practice given cholera was a scourge of the time and was spread through water.

The canal itself had become polluted. In Woodside, and other populated areas night pails were being washed in the canal and it became foul smelling.

There is a timely reminder from the past here, always wash your vegetables, because you do not know what they have been grown in, they do say that you get fine tatties oot by Kintore.

Mike Middleton

Aberdeen to Inverurie canal

Northfield Community Centre

1312

Image provided Courtesy of Aberdeen City Libraries. For more historic images, visit The Silver City Vault - www.silvercityvault.org.uk

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The shmuCREW are returning to the Woodside area very soon. In fact, by the time you are reading this we should be all settled into our new home!

We have enhanced the facilities we already had so we have installed two new radio studios and we have got a big communal social area, similar to what we had in the old building but we will also have an IT training room and a TV studio with a control room. We are aiming to use the expansion of the building to expand our existing

programmes to reach new people in our target areas.

A state-of-the-art building was identified as a need as part of our 2010-2017 strategic plan so we’re really excited that this is becoming a reality for us this year.

If you would like to come and see our new building or find out more about volunteering email laura.young@shmu.org.uk or call her on 01224 515013.

shmu back in Woodside

Woodside freepress.indd 14 28/04/2019 13:24

Dave’s Page Dave’s MoansHeavy Goods Vehicles on School RoadHaving just driven through School Road in Seaton I was surprised at the number of HGVs using this road as a short cut without giving thought to the safety or wellbeing of the residents. They may find it is quicker to get to the harbour area or to the roads leading out of the city, but I do not think that School Road or Golf Road are built to take the constant flow of such big lorries. School Road by its very name tells you that there are schoolchildren in the area going to and returning from school who could be in danger of being hit by something very big. When these HGVs travel along they don’t hang back and sometimes travel in convoy.

I can only say I am glad I live in Northfield where we have busy roads but not that number of HGVs travelling at great speed like they have in Seaton. The question is what are the roads bosses doing about it? Not a lot I suspect as it saves King Street from getting blocked with traffic - that is until someone gets hurt in these streets and then all hell will break loose. As there are a lot of car drivers in Northfield who, from time to time, may drive along School Road and Golf Roadin Seaton it may be an idea to speak to our local councillors about it. Who knows our area might be next so support Seaton and keep these big HGVs on the proper roads away from housing estates.

Who Am I?1) I was born 4th June 1960 in Watford and attended Combe Academy

2) Became a professional footballer in late 1978 with Brentford but my

career was cut short due to an ankle injury at the age of 22

3) After a variety of jobs I became a Bluecoat at Pontin’s in

Morecombe, had a role in the National Lottery presenting team

followed by a year presenting Wheel of Fortune

4) Have appeared in a number of films and TV programmes, did two

years as Danny Baldwin in Coronation Street and was recently in

Doctor Who

5) Now a regular game show host I also played the lead role in Law and

Order UK, in 2009 I became the host of The Chase on ITV where

I am today.

Maths17 x 3 + 19 – 50% / 7 x 40 – 65 = ?

Missing Link1) Bank – Reader

2) Vegetable – of meat

3) One – foot

4) Water – fodder

5) Barking – house

6) Poached – plant

7) Red – ride

8) Royal – Beard (the pirate)9) Gregorian – girls

10) Ice – Comfort

True Facts1) 2012 in Florida a woman known as Crystal Methany (real

name) was arrested for drugs possession

2) The first bus in Britain that was powered by human

excrement ran between Bristol and Bath - I think that

was the number 2 route!

3) due to the flash floods, one of the biggest dangers in

the desert is drowning

4) During heavy snows in 1891 the 3pm train from

Paddington to Plymouth left on the 9th of March and

arrived on the 13th of March (this can easily be matched

and beaten by Scotrail)

15

Alcohol Alcoholics Anonymous 0800 9177 650Drinkline 0300 123 1110Crime Crimestoppers 0800 555 111Drugs Drugs Action Helpline 01224 594700Dentist Emergency - G-Dens 111Doctors NHS 24 Emergency 111Electricity If you have a power-cut 105Family Planning

Aberdeen Community Health 0345 337 9900and Care VillageGas Gas Emergency 0800 111 999Gas emergency with a meter 0845 606 6766Housing

Emergency Repairs 01224 219 282Call Centre Emergency 0845 608 0929 or 116 123Police Non-emergency 101Samaritans

Need to talk 01224 574 488 or 116 123Social Work

Social Work Duty Team 0800 7315520Emergency Out-Of-Hours 01224 693936 Water

Scottish Water Emergency 0800 0778 778CFINE 01224 596156Pathways 01224 682 939Cash in your Pocket 0800 953 4330Citizens Advice 01224 569750Northfield Academy 01224 699715Bramble Brae School 01224 692618Heathryburn School 01224 788180Westpark School 01224 692323

Community Information for Cumming NorthNorthfield Community Council Meetings are held the second Tuesday of every month at Northfield Community Centre at 7pm. Contact: communitycouncils@aberdeencity.gov.ukCummings Park Centre08:30am - 10pm, 01224 694060 or cummingsparkcentre@aberdeencity.gov.ukCummings Park Community Flat 9am – 5pm Contact: 01224 681357 or dosim@aberdeencity.gov.ukNorthfield Community CentreContact: 01224 695416 or jacqui@northfieldcommunitycentremc.orgNorthfield Outdoor Sports CentreContact: O1224 696246 Northfield Library10am - 1pm 2pm – 5pm 01224 695104Northfield Medical Practice8am – 6:30pm 01224 662911